The price of repairing Washington DC’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has climbed sharply, with new figures showing the project now costs even more than first expected.
The restoration of the well-known National Mall landmark was originally backed by Donald Trump, who first said the work would cost about $1.5 million before the price ballooned to more than $16 million. The project was part of a wider push to prepare Washington for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
As part of the makeover, the base was painted what Trump described as “American flag blue”. But within weeks of the refurbishment being finished, algae began turning the water green.
At the same time, the newly applied paint started peeling from the surface.
Trump pointed the finger at vandals in posts on Truth Social.
“We’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial.
“Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed.
“No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work.”
According to federal contract data reviewed by ABC News, the total cost of getting the Reflecting Pool back into shape has now risen past $16 million. That is more than $4 million above the initial estimate.
Recent reports have said crews drained the pool again to carry out permanent repairs after the algae and peeling problems surfaced, and that the liner has faded to a grayish color in the drained basin.
Earlier this year, Trump also defended the project by referring to his own experience overseeing pool construction.
“As a developer, I’ve probably built more than 100 swimming pools in different buildings I built, and I have some really good pool builders.
“They’re great people. I have such great respect for contractors that are good and such disdain for contractors that are bad. They charge you more money and they give you a bad job, but we — we don’t accept it.”
Recent photographs show the Reflecting Pool fully drained following the latest controversy surrounding the site. That comes after former US Olympian David Hearn was accused of damaging the monument.
Prosecutors allege Hearn was responsible for $1,000 in damage and say he is now facing a felony destruction of property charge.
Hearn, however, has denied doing anything wrong.
‘If Mr Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk,” his attorney, Norm Eisen, said.
“It is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool, to touch water, in the United States of America.”
US Park Police have said five people were arrested on suspicion of vandalism, while another five people received federal citations. In recent days, officials have continued to say repair work is ongoing, even as questions have grown over whether the damage stems from vandalism, installation problems, or both.